The top left strake skin has begun. I spent some time reviewing my notes and a couple of online videos building the confidence to move ahead. I know my strakes have a difficult transition from one air foil to another so a bit of a plan is in order.

I first laid out some plastic to make extra sure that I was correctly cutting out from my foam sheet.

I only have two of these pieces of foam, two skins each. With the plastic confirming my measurements I cut out the first skin, way oversized of course.

Fitting to the curved side took a little time. I also had to bevel the edges inside to allow for the curve on the fuselage wall.

With the skin sitting on top now I could see where the baffles needed trimming. I also cut off some of the carefully preserved rib tips. I have traced then out on paper before the cuts you see above. The skin needs to sit flat so these might as well go now.

More work and I can see a little heat is going to be needed to make a bend… however I’m going to keep trimming until I’m close to a good fit first. Its a start today. I have four of these skins to do and I think once I have this one right the next three will be much easier.